Pearl River Man Found Guilty of Attempted Aggravated Burglary and Battery of a Dating Partner Involving Strangulation

District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that on May 19, 2022, Dalton Kyle Hinson, age 28 of Pearl River, was found guilty by a jury of attempted aggravated burglary and battery of a dating partner involving strangulation.

On Sunday, February 14, 2021, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Mandeville Sports Complex in reference to a fight taking place in the parking lot. When deputies arrived, Hinson had already fled the location. The victim explained that she thought she was meeting Hinson in order to exchange property in the other’s possession. When they met in the parking lot, Hinson exited his vehicle and forcibly entered the victim’s vehicle and began strangling her and punching her in the face.

The victim showed deputies video footage from her phone of Hinson entering her vehicle. The victim had lacerations on her neck and bruising around the area of her right eye.

Judge William H. Burris presided over the case. Assistant District Attorney Iain Dover and Jay Adair presented the case to the jury.

Sentencing is set for August 3, 2020

Rayburn Correctional Center’s K-9 Team Wins 1st Place

Rayburn Correctional Center’s K-9 Team competed in the Louisiana Department of Corrections  Manhunt Field Trials this week at Camp Beauregard in Alexandria and earned First Place. 

Trials consisted of two tracks. The first was a day trail, 2 hours old and 1 mile long. The second was a night trail, 1.5 hours old and 1 mile long. Each trail contained 4 articles. One minute was deducted from the team’s final time for each article found. Nine teams competed, eight from correctional facilities in Louisiana and one from Florida. The final times from each trial were used to determine the team’s final average time. 

Rayburn Correctional Center’s K-9 Team came in 1st place with an average time of 15 minutes 21 seconds, followed by the team from Florida and then David Wade Correctional Center. CONGRATULATIONS RCC K-9 TEAM!

Pictured are Lt. Col. Richie Forbes, Capt. Jonathan Stringer, and Capt. Mickey Dillon with tracking dogs Bandit and Banjo.

Franklinton Man Charged with Stealing Union Funds

Brian Gerald, age 50 and a resident of Franklinton, was charged yesterday (March 19, 2022) in a one count indictment for embezzling assets of a local labor union, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court records, Gerald held the position of Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 13-189. According to the indictment, from on or about May 25, 2018 and continuing through on or about September 8, 2020, Gerald embezzled $112,594.18 from the union account.

If convicted, Gerald faces a up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Click here to read the indictment

Washington Parish Jail Bookings for May 19, 2022

Jeremy Jenkins (Bogalusa, La. address) was booked In From Court

Kelvin Thomas (Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Distribution of Schedule II Drugs (2 counts), Contempt of Court, and Distribution of Schedule 1 CDS by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $150000.00.

Roseph Williams (Angie, La. address) was booked In From Court

Marlin Wilson (Hammond, La. address) was booked on the charges of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction and Possession of Stolen Property by the Bogalusa Police Department. Bond set at $5000.00.

Julia Tynes (Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Theft of a Motor Vehicle 5000-25000 and Theft Less Than 1000 by the Bogalusa Police Department. Bond set at $4000.00.

Obituary

Heather Allen Nicholas

November 18, 1971 - May 19, 2022

Obituary

Ernest "Rabbit" Rankin Young, Sr.

March 7, 1936 - May 19, 2022

16 Year-Old Female Arrested for Murder in Bogalusa

The Bogalusa Police Department reports the arrest of a 16 year-old female for the stabbing death of a 21 year-old that happened in Bogalusa on Thursday night (May 19, 2022).  

Shortly before 9:00 pm , BPD officers responded to Myrtle Grove Apartments (formerly Oakhill) and found the victim, identified as 21 year-old Ne’Colby Thomas, suffering from a single stab wound to the chest. Patrol Officers and Fire Department personnel rendered first aid until the arrival of Northshore E.M.S. Thomas was treated on scene and transported to Our Lady of the Angels Hospital. Life saving measures were unsuccessful, and Thomas was pronounced deceased shortly after 10:00 pm.

Officers on scene quickly identified and detained a suspect, a 16 year-old female. Detectives interviewed witnesses and the suspect and determined that there was probable cause for the arrest of the juvenile on the charge of Second Degree Murder. 

The name of the suspect will not be released at this time due to her age. She was remanded to the custody of a juvenile detention center pending a 72 hour hearing.

This investigation is ongoing and no further details will be released at this time.

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page. 

(click image below for a clearer picture)

97 Bottles of Illegally Obtained “Cough Syrup” Found During Traffic Stop Near Covington

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest after 97 bottles of illegally obtained “cough syrup” was found during a stop on Interstate 12. At approximately 11 p.m. on Monday (May 16, 2022), two vehicles traveling together eastbound on I-12 near Covington were stopped by detectives with the STPSO Highway Enforcement Unit after they were observed committing various traffic infractions.

The occupants of the first vehicle, a black Mercedes C300, told the detectives they were on their way from Houston to Covington to go to court for a previous arrest. Donta Evans of Houston, Texas, and Domanique Gasaway of Galveston, Texas, were arrested on narcotics distribution charges in that same vehicle during a traffic stop on April 6, 2022.

A consensual search of the Mercedes sedan on Monday yielded negative results for illegal narcotics this time. Evans was subsequently issued a citation for Following Too Close and No Driver’s License, and both he and Gasaway were released.  

Meanwhile, the driver of the second vehicle, a Chevrolet Cruze, which is also registered to Gasaway, refused to provide consent to search that vehicle. K-9 Echo was called to the scene and alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle was conducted, resulting in the discovery of 97 bottles (1 pint each) of Promethazine Hydrochloride syrup. 

The driver of the Chevrolet Cruze, 24 year-old Colin Walthall of Houston, was placed under arrest for Speeding, Improper Lane Use and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Legend Drug without a Prescription. Walthall also had an outstanding warrant through the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office for Failure to Appear for prior drug offenses. He was transported to the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center, where he was booked as a fugitive.

Chairman of Bogalusa Crime Prevention Commission Position

An Announcement by the City of Bogalusa

"According to Bogalusa City Code section 2-132, the chairman of the Crime Prevention Commission shall be appointed by the Bogalusa City Council.

If interested in this voluntary position to decrease crime in the City, submit your resume or bio indicating your interest and experience to your City Councilwoman/City Councilman or via email to the Bogalusa city council office attention Brenda.ford@bogalusa.org.

The deadline is by noon May 31, 2022."

Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival Lineup

Here is the lineup for the Blues Stage!!!  Stay tuned for the lineup for the Heritage Stage!!!

For more info and to purchase tickets and camping spots go to www.bogalusablues.com

Washington Parish Jail Bookings for May 18, 2022

Jasmine Cyprian (Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released May 18, 2022.

Wesley Green (Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II Drugs, Possession of CDS With Weapon Present, Theft Less Than 1000, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Failure to Appear, and Contempt of Court (3 counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $23750.00.

Lexy Stockstill (Poplarville, Ms. address) was booked on the charges of Failure to Appear and Resisting an Officer by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released on $500.00 bond.

Jonathan Brown (Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse/Pregnant Woman, Possession of Schedule 3 Drugs With Intent to Distribute, Possession of Schedule IV Drugs, Prohibited Acts/Schedule II Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Transactions Involving Proceeds From Drug Offenses, Manufacture of Schedule II Drugs, Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearm, Possession of CDS With Weapon Present, and Probation and Parole Hold by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $150000.00.

Albert Shoemaker (Angie, La. address) was booked on the charges of Careless Operation, Driving Under Suspension, Criminal Damage to Property Under 1000, and Open Container in Vehicle by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released on $3500.00 bond.

Obituary

Irreiadne Kyra LeGlue

May 13, 2022 - May 13, 2022

Obituary

Angeleia Keays

September 21, 1962 - May 16, 2022

Obituary

Judy Ann Martinez

October 4, 1977 - May 13, 2022

Obituary

Althea Crowe Magee

June 20, 1947 - May 18, 2022

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page. 

(click image below for a clearer picture)

Safe Boating Week is May 21-27 - Check Your Boat & Gear

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division will be participating in “Safe Boating Week” from May 21-27, which signifies the beginning of the spring and summer boating season.

LDWF will again be reminding all boaters to be safe, responsible and knowledgeable while on the water during this safe boating week.  Safe Boating Week is a time for all boaters to inspect their vessels to ensure that all required safety equipment is on board and that vessels are in good working condition. LDWF agents will be out in full force as always during the week to perform boating safety checks that includes making sure all personal flotation device (PFD) regulations are being followed and that each vessel has a sober operator.

“Safe boating week is a good time to make sure your boat and all of your safety equipment is ready to go,” said Major Clay Marques, the state’s safe boating law administrator.  “We want people to have fun on the water, but to do it in a safe and responsible manner.  That starts with wearing a personal flotation device, having a sober operator and the required safety equipment for your vessel.”

In 2021, Louisiana reported 26 boating fatalities of which 19 of the fatalities were not wearing a personal flotation device.  So far, in 2022 Louisiana has reported 10 fatalities.

Each vessel should have enough PFDs on board for all occupants.  LDWF regulations also state that anyone 16 years of age and younger must wear a PFD while underway in vessels less than 26-foot long.  For more boating and PFD regulations, please visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov and click on the “Boating” tab.

Alcohol use is one of the leading causes of boating crash incidents and fatalities on the water.  Alcohol consumption impairs a boater's judgment, balance, vision and reaction time.  The penalties for operating or driving a vessel while intoxicated (DWI) are the same as driving a vehicle.  Anyone cited for a DWI on the water or on the road will lose his or her driver's license and boating privileges for the specified time ordered by the judge in the case.

LDWF also wants to remind anybody born after Jan. 1, 1984 that they are required to successfully complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) boating education course to operate a motorboat over 10 horsepower.  Since the safe boating course’s inception in 2003, over 140,000 boaters have been certified in Louisiana.

LDWF offers these classes free of charge statewide.  For more information and to schedule a safe boating course, please visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/boater-education.

Obituary

Bobbie Jean Boyd Byrd

January 31, 1935 - May 17, 2022

Obituary

Larry Parnell Roberts

May 26, 1963 - May 14, 2022